Ahli are not ready to play the Champions League last 16 second leg against Stade Malien without an ‘extraordinary support' from the stands, insisting that fans must be allowed in. The Egyptian champions suffered a last-gasp defeat in Bamako in the first leg, with the return game likely to be staged behind closed doors for security reasons on May 12. After unsuccessful attempts to have their fans in the stands in the previous home game with Ethiopian Coffee, this time Ahli seem firm over Stade Malien's clash next month. “We are in dire need for our fans. Stade Malien proved to be a good team, so we need extraordinary support against them,” Ahli football director Sayed Abdul-Hafiz told the club's satellite channel. “Last time things were not clear before the game, but this time I have to say we won't be able to play without our fans. “Whether we will to play at Cairo Stadium or even the Military Academy, in both cases we want our fans. “Any popular team in the world would lose 50% or 60% of its power without fan support.” In the same manner, Ahli's Cairo neighbors Zamalek vowed to make a joint-request with their bitter rivals in order to have fans back in the stands. Zamalek, Ahli and ENPPI have been playing their continental home games behind closed doors following February's Port-Said disaster, while the Egypt national team have been forced to hold friendlies abroad.
